About this property

Very Peaceful Normandy Farmhouse Newly Renovated. This cottage/gite is in a rural setting.

Recently renovated into a self-contained gite with luxury bathroom and excellent 'galley' style kitchen, this idyllic and peaceful traditional Normandy 'Longhouse' sleeps up to 4 and has views of extensive gardens and adjoining farmland.

Type

Kitchen and dining

Dining/lounge room is open-plan with views over surrounding green farmland.

Living rooms

Large ground floor open plan lounge/dining area with attractive stone fireplace and exposed beams, English tv and comfortable seating area (including a bed-settee) with views of garden and adjoining green farmland.

Bedrooms

One beautifully appointed, light and airy double bedroom with country views, and shutters, plus 1 twin single bedroom.

Books provided for reading. Plenty of hanging space, drawers and cupboards. Assortment of pillows and duvets for a comfortable nights sleep.

Bathrooms

A modern and very luxurious fully-tiled bathroom with large walk-in shower, a stylish deep, stand-alone bath, wc, heated towel rail and large wash handbasin with de-misting mirror.

Basic toiletries provided plus a travel hair dryer for the ladies and plenty of mirrors. Towels and bathmats provided.

Heating

The property has wood-fired central heating, with radiators in the bedrooms, plus a large woodburner in the lounge (free wood) and electric heated towel rails, in the bathroom and kitchen.

Entertainment

English and French tv/dvd and radio, free wi-fi, a selection of dvds are available for loan plus a number of box games, puzzles and books.

Garden and outside

A large garden all around the property is a delight for bird enthusiasts as well as providing a tranquil area for relaxation.

Small Eco pond for wild-life.

On sunny days, simply relax on one of the sun-beds under a huge outdoor shade umbrella or read a book (or nap) in one of the colourful hammocks.

There is also a barbecue, plus a large picnic-bench for 'al fresco' dining, and solar lights throughout the garden create a 'magical evening' atmosphere.

Parking and garages

There is extensive parking, with large turning-circle, at the front of the Farmhouse, with under-cover bike parking available in the barn.

Visitor suitability

Ideally suited for a couple but does sleeps 4, if 2 don't mind single beds. Small families are welcome, bearing in mind the property is on a working dairy farm.

Small dogs are negotiable upon application (non cow-chasers!).

Information about any additional facilities

Handy for a multitude of tourist attractions including D-day beaches, Bayeux, Caen, Granville, Mont St Michel, Villedieu Les Poeles and within 20 minutes of the sea and sealed coastal path. Many excellent and varied restaurants in the area.

On arrival day 2-course meal is available by arrangement (£20 extra per head).

The Village of Hambye (3 minutes by car or 20 minute walk) has it's own Marie for information/advice/maps/fishing permits etc. plus an extensive boutique supermarket, a beautiful Artisan boulanger/pattisierie/chocolatier, as well as a twice-weekly organic produce market, eating and drinking facilities, hairdresser, extensive chemist, and a selection of small shops.

For anything not found in Hambye, Gavray is just 8 minutes by car, and that is where the Vet is.

Facilities

Cleaning

Internet

No smoking

Pets welcomed *

Linen

Meals

* Vet details: Gavray Veterinary or Percy Veterinary are both good, familiar with English EU requirements, easy to use and close.

Mountain biking

Sports

Walking

Watersports

About the Owner/Advertiser, Mr Andrew Baker

Musician and ex-ballet dancer - we also live there (we occupy the other half of the Normandy 'long-house') so always on hand to answer questions, recommend restaurants and generally help (without getting in the way!).

Year property purchased

2000

Why this location?

Only 90 minutes drive from any of the Brittany Ferries French ports. The area is a gastronomic paradise, as well as having some of the most STUNNING countryside around. Close to Villedieu Les Poeles (the copper town), Coutances, St Lo and Granville. D day beaches, Bayeux, Mont St Michel, and Caen are all within 1 hour away, so lots to see and do. An award winning restaurant is only 2 miles away, plus French markets galore and one of the best Artisan bakeries/chocolatier/patissiere in Normandy, only 5 minutes away. 20 mins drive to extensive beaches and sealed, coastal-path walks. Hambye has fresh organic produce markets twice weekly. Extensive chemist. 20 mins to nearest hospital.

Unique benefits of property

The property is surrounded by a working dairy farm, featuring the stunning, traditional breed 'Normande'. Everybody remarks on how peaceful and quiet the property is, and, without exception, everyone has vowed to return, with some returning every year! The garden is a haven for wildlife, bees and butterflies and has a plethora of bird life and a small Eco pond. On a good day you may even see a red squirrel, a calf being born, or a pair of deer in the next field!Sun-beds/hammocks/books/sun umbrellas provided for relaxation plus a BBQ and pizza oven with a large picnic bench under a huge bay-tree, for al-fresco dining.Solar 'fairy lights' make the gardens a magical experience at night.

The Owner Recommends

Hambye Abbey Visit

Beautiful walk with absolutely stunning wildlife around in the serene and tranquil grounds of the 12th century Hambye Abbey (now a ruin). The Abbey restaurant is of extremely high standard and very popular throughout the year. There is fly-fishing in the river nearby.

Coutances

The city of Coutances is particularly worth a visit - especially to see the amazing Gothic architecture of the Cathedral. The Jardin des Plantes gardens are very beautiful and there is also a traditional market in the week. Shopping is an eclectic mix of modern and traditional French.

Gavray Market

On a Saturday morning there is a market in Gavray - very French and great fun. On a Wednesday is the old traditional calf market - get there by 11am to see and hear the bell ring to mark the traditional start of proceedings.

A walk up the 'chateau' hill is well worth the effort with many wonderful views over the town and locality.

Coutances Depot Vente 'La Cle des Temps'

On the Cherbourg road out of Coutances is a good 'Depot Vente' - basically a 'flea market' selling anything and everything - there are always many bargains to be had. The price on each larger item is set according to the date it was first available and is automatically reduced every 2-3 weeks if it has not sold! Open daily (closed 12-2).

Villedieu Les Poeles

Villedieu Les poeles (or the copper town) is most famous for craft trades, especially it's world-famous copper kitchenware. There are many workshops and museums visits available - the most popular being the copper workshop and bell foundry.

Saint-Lô

Rebuilt after being destroyed in 1944, Saint-Lô, with it's ramparts and towers is well worth a visit. The fine art museum houses tapestries from the 16th century to the present day.

The Saint-Lô national stud farm is one of the largest in France and offers guided tours for visitors.

Dday activities

Within 45 minutes there is the Normandy Tank Museum, the Memorial museum in Caen, Saint Mere Eglise museum, D day beaches etc. etc.

Granville

Home to the Christian Dior house and museum, Granville has many narrow streets full of charm and beauty, and is surrounded by ramparts, including a gateway and drawbridge. Site of the WW2 'Atlantic Wall', Granville also has a huge and very varied market on a Saturday. There is a wide selection of restaurants in the town centre and Mont St Michel is less than 20 minutes away.

And there's more.....!

Within 30 mins it is possible to go land-yachting, go-karting, ride a velorail (a sort of bicycle 'push-me pull-you' for 4 on a disused railway line!), swim in the Atlantic and enjoy many fantastic restaurants, chic shopping and beautiful art galleries.

2 Reviews

10/10

Cleanliness: 10

Comfort: 10

Condition: 10

Facilities: 10

Local Amenities: 10

Setting: 10

Value for Money: 10

10 / 10Swann Family5 June, 2018

A beautiful place.
Kim and Andy were there while we were and were really welcoming and friendly. They were on hand for advice, but were never intrusive.
The house has everything you could need, is beautifully decorated and furnished, and is generally a lovely place to stay in beautiful surroundings.
There is a very full folder containing plenty of information about the surrounding area and things to do.
Normandy itself has plenty to discover, from ancient and recent history to fabulous beaches.
The bakery in the town is a must!
We will be back!

Owner response

Alison - thank you so much for this and I am so glad that you had a good stay with us.

You were the perfect guests and we both very much hope that we see you again.Andy

10 / 10Three bikers Richard Rob and Steve4 May, 2017

The Gite is in a lovely rural location surrounded by fields used by dairy cows. Kim (owner) gave us a very warm welcome. The Gite is lovely - all mod cons while retaining a rustic personality. The living room has a great wood burner with a plentiful supply of logs if needed; the kitchen has everything including a dishwasher. The beds are comfortable and the bathroom has a great shower as well as a free standing bath. All was immaculately clean and cared for.
Plenty of information about the area was provided. I would definitely recommend the property for a relaxing ho;iday

Owner response

Richard - thank you for this feedback - it is very helpful and thank YOU for being the perfect guests. We are both really pleased you enjoyed the rural location too. Thank you for booking La Guiffardiere and we hope to see you again some time.